2008 Annual Report - Montgomery County Collaboration Council for ...

• 86% of the served youthsuccessfully completed theATD Wrap Program– appeared for scheduledcourt hearing– did not recidivate or violateprobation while in the program• 75% of the youth who successfullycompleted the program had nofurther contact with the police orinvolvement with DJS.Caithness Shelter Training Project isan initiative that built on therecommendations of The WinnowGroup, LLC. to increase the capacityand quality of services at the onlyJuvenile Justice shelter inMontgomery County. This project hasenabled more Montgomery Countyyouth who needed a residentialalternative to detention to stay withinthe county and remain close to family.16 staff members were trained on thefollowing topics:• Staff Roles and Expectations• Adolescent development• Maintaining a Safe EnvironmentConducive to Learning• Behavior Management• Communication Skills• Cultural Sensitivity• Engaging Youth in PositiveProgramming• Leadership/Team building.INCREASE PARENT AND YOUTHINVOLVEMENT IN POLICY, PROGRAMAND SERVICES DECISIONSFamilies Linked to Advocacyand a Variety of Resources andSupports (FLAVORS) project, througha contract with the MontgomeryCounty Federation of Families forChildren’s Mental Health, targetsparents and other family memberswhose children, ages 10 to 18, havebeen or are involved with lawenforcement and/or have furtherinvolvement with the juvenile justicesystem. The program providesJuvenile Justice ConsumerInformation, Parent to Parent Supportand Education, and LeadershipDevelopment and Advocacy. Themajority of parents served have beenAfrican American or Hispanic.Performance Measures• 75 parents received informationabout the juvenile justice system• 41 parents participated in asupport group• 41 parents received leadershipdevelopment training• 100% of families reported increasedconsumer knowledge of the juvenilejustice system• 100% of families reported increasedability to access services as a resultof educational workshops andparent to parent support• 90% of families reported decreasedisolation and increased availabilityof support from other families• 85% of families served reportedincreased ability to advocate onbehalf of their child.FAMILIES LINKED TO ADVOCACY AND AVARIETY OF RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS (FLAVORS)Strength and Empowerment Begins with Participation:Helping Families Overcome BarriersThe parent,“Jane”, was overwhelmed with all the court appointments, mental healthappointments, facility visits, and meetings for her two sons who are involved withDepartment of Juvenile Services (DJS). She lost her job because of taking time off fromwork to attend all of these appointments. She does not have a vehicle. She had a lot ofunanswered questions for the DJS staff but was not attending the meetings because shedid not have money for transportation. The Montgomery County Federation of Familieswas able to provide a cab to take her to and from the DJS meetings. The ParentEngagement Coordinator from the Federation helped “Jane” prepare for the meetings. Shethen attended the meetings with her. As a result,“Jane” was able to get all of her concernsaddressed and receive additional written information, such as pamphlets, and informationon workshops. She has been very pleased with the assistance she received from theFederation of Families because she felt that if she had not attended the meetings, DJSwould have perceived her as a parent who was unconcerned about her sons’ welfare.21